Wood Frame Building Noise

Wood has low thermal mass.

Wood frame building noise.

However there is a clear difference in the nature and extent of the problem in these two constructions. Wood frame construction is one of the most widely used methods to build residential commercial and industrial buildings. Wood frames are not only very economical to build but are also resistant to extreme climatic variations and offer residents a high degree of comfort. This is a catch up since most european union and several north american jurisdictions including british columbia already allow six storey wood frame.

Wood frame construction by its nature can present noise control challenges. While gypsum concrete is often added to wood frame assemblies one can expect an obvious drop off in airborne noise control when compared with the mass of a six inch. As mentioned earlier mass is a necessary part of noise control. Although it is common to add noise barriers within light wood frame assemblies e g batt insulation in a floor cavity this method is much less common in mass timber assemblies.

That said several acoustically tested mass timber floor assemblies include wood sleepers on top of the panels and noise barriers such as sand or batt insulation. Reducing noise in a wood frame building is accomplished by limiting sound vibrations with insulation stud placement or extra mass within the wall cavity. Added to that wood frames are sustainable and absorb carbon and offset. In both cases if the floor finish is hard i e tile hardwood or the like footstep impacts will clearly be transmitted to.